AboutSN Goenka

“Removing old conditionings from the mind and training the mind to be more equanimous with every experience is the first step toward enabling one to experience true happiness.”

- SN Goenka

SN Goenka, 1924-2013

Although Indian by descent, Mr Goenka was born and raised in Burma. While living in Burma he had the good fortune to come into contact with Sayagyi U Ba Khin, and to learn the technique of Vipassana from him. After receiving training from his teacher for fourteen years, Mr Goenka settled in India and began teaching Vipassana in 1969. In a country still sharply divided by differences of caste and religion, the courses offered by Mr Goenka have attracted thousands of people from every part of society. In addition, many people from countries around the world have come to join courses in Vipassana meditation.

Mr Goenka has taught tens of thousands of people in more than 300 courses in India and in other countries, East and West. In 1982 he began to appoint assistant teachers to help him to meet the growing demand for courses. Meditation centres have been established under his guidance in India, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Nepal and other countries.

The technique taught by S N Goenka represents a tradition that is traced back to the Buddha. The Buddha never taught a sectarian religion; he taught Dhamma - the way to liberation - which is universal. In the same tradition, Mr Goenka's approach is totally non-sectarian. For this reason, his teaching has a profound appeal to people of all backgrounds, of every religion and no religion, and from every part of the world.

Mr Goenka was the recipient of one of the prestigious Padma Awards from the President of India in 2012. This award is the highest civilian award given by the Indian Government.